Ben Toner removed from refereeing Blackpool’s clash vs Portsmouth as name sparks social media jokes after Seasiders’ owners lose court battle

Nov 10, 2017

BEN TONER has been removed from refereeing Blackpol’s game on Saturday – after his name became a social media joke when the Seasiders’ controversial owners lost a high court case.

A judge this week blamed Karl and Owen Oyston for “illegitimate stripping” of the club and told them to buy out estranged president Valeri Belokon for £32.27million.

Ben Toner will be off to Carlisle instead of Blackpool - because a top-level referee is needed for the Seasiders, not due to his name, say the EFL — Ben Toner will be off to Carlisle instead of Blackpool – because a top-level referee is needed for the Seasiders, not due to his name, say the EFL

Blackpool’s League One clash at home to Portsmouth will now be reffed by top-flight official Jon Moss.

But the EFL insist the change was only made because the game will be under fierce scrutiny after the Oystons lost their case.

An EFL spokesman said: “As a result of the increased attention surrounding this weekend’s League One fixture between Blackpool and Portsmouth, PGMOL [Professional Game Match Officials Limited] has determined it would be appropriate for a select group 1 referee to take charge of proceedings at Bloomfield Road.

“The previously selected official will instead fill a vacancy that has a arisen at Brunton Park for the League Two match between Carlisle United and Yeovil Town as the referee who was scheduled to officiate sustained an injury during Bury’s game with Stoke City Under-21s on Wednesday evening.”

The greatest referee appointment in football history – the official taking charge of #Blackpool v #Pompey is, wait it for it…. Ben Toner.

— Jordan Cross (@pn_jordan_cross) November 9, 2017

Maybe @EFL does have a sense of humour. The referee for Saturdays game v #Pompey is Ben Toner (Bent Owner)#BanTheOystons

— Tangerine Knights (@KnightTangerine) November 8, 2017

Football fans had tweeted to hail Toner’s original selection as the “greatest appointment in football history” and said the EFL “does have a sense of humour”.

But others failed to see the pun in the ref’s two names and asked what all the fuss was about.

Meanwhile, the Oystons – unpopular with Blackpool supporters – have put the club up for sale after their costly defeat in court.

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Belokon claimed they treated the Seasiders as their “personal cash machine” and showed “unfair prejudice” against shareholders.

He accused the Oystons of keeping him and other nominated directors in minor shareholder VB Football Assets – out of key decisions and a share of profits.

And Justice Marcus Smith ruled the Oystons had shown “fundamental breaches” in their duties as directors.

Blackpool fans were furious after Owen Oyston reportedly paid himself £11m when the club were promoted in 2010 for their only ever season in the Premier League.

Owen Oyston, left, and his son Karl lost their costly court case with businessman Valeri Belokon, right — Owen Oyston, left, and son Karl lost the case with Valeri Belokon, right

Majority shareholder Owen Oyston is strongly disliked by Blackpool fans — Majority shareholder Owen Oyston is still a central figure with the club

And the lineswoman is Helen Byrne
(Hell and Burn) – pretty apt too#BanTheOystons

— Stephen Butcher (@StephenButcher2) November 8, 2017

Reading a football article and a ref called Ben Toner is described as ‘the unfortunately named Ben Toner’. Am I missing something here?

— Les Wynan (@jaggings) November 10, 2017